COLLEGE PARK, Md. – University of Maryland head volleyball coach Tim Horsmon announced the hiring of Michael Shearer as an assistant coach for the Terps on Thursday.

Shearer arrives in College Park after serving as the interim head coach at West Alabama last season. Prior to his stint with the Tigers, Shearer spent the 2011 campaign as an assistant and recruiting coordinator at Elon guiding the Phoenix to a 19-14 record and coaching two Southern Conference All-Freshmen team performers.

“Mike brings a great deal of experience to the program,” said Horsmon. “He helped build a strong program and coaching staff at the College of Charleston. He fits exactly what we needed coaching wise and we're excited that Mike has joined our staff.

“Mike spent last year as the interim head coach at West Alabama and I like that he has experience in that role. We needed someone to come in and help solidify what we want to teach and the identity that we are forming. Mike will work hard in the gym and on the recruiting trail to continue our progress forward.”

Before moving to Elon, Shearer served as an assistant at the College of Charleston. In two seasons with the Cougars, the squad compiled a 47-19 record including a 29-6 mark during the 2010 season. That year, the Cougars posted a 15-1 record in the Colonial Athletic Association to claim the regular-season title and a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Shearer served as an assistant coach at Division II Edinboro from 2008-09, where he was directly responsible for all aspects of recruiting, development and execution of strength and conditioning programs, evaluation of opponents and game planning as well as coordinating all team travel.

He helped guide the Fighting Scots to a 26-9 record, a berth in the NCAA Tournament and was responsible for the recruiting of the program’s top three freshmen, including Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Freshman of the Year, Gina Boothe.

Prior to his time at EU, he served as a volunteer assistant coach at Villanova in 2007. That season, the Wildcats compiled a 17-11 record, a 9-5 mark in the Big East, good for third place. Two players were honored as first team All-Big East and one named a Honorable Mention All-America.

Prior to transitioning to the collegiate level, Shearer had great success at the high school and club level. In 2006, Shearer led third-year Hatboro-Horsham High School to a 19-5 record, a conference title, and a fifth-place finish at the AAA Pennsylvania state championships.

Shearer earned a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice from Penn State in 1997 and holds teacher certification in health and physical education with a minor in coaching from West Chester University.